At the Tuesday, July 23rd Emeryville City Council Meeting, Council unanimously approved a “Green Monday” resolution in partnership with social venture group Green Monday US, According to a press release, this makes Emeryville the second city in the nation after Berkeley to adopt the program.

City-run facilities and programs will provide plant-based foods on Mondays (or another weekday of their choice), and the Council itself will procure vegan food for its meetings. Programs to educate the public on the environmental advantages of plant-based food choices will be held at various locations in the coming months. Educational materials will be available at libraries and community centers. Restaurants that add plant-based items to their menus will be issued Green Monday stickers and recognized on the forthcoming Emeryville Green Monday website.

The Resolution the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) finding that the livestock sector contributes 14.5% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, more than the entire transportation sector. The City’s Mitigation Action Plan for 2030, within the Climate Action Plan, includes an objective to “reduce consumption-related emissions…”

There is still considerable debate by omnivores that plant-based diets are better for our health or the planet. Many suggest a shift in livestock practices that includes pasture raising and grass feeding animals which they claim can offset the carbon impacts of raising animal for slaughter. The Savory Institute is an example of an organization dedicated to proper management of our grasslands. Both sides agree that so-called ”factory farming” is not a sustainable practice.

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Factory Farming Awareness Coalition (FFAC), a national educational nonprofit, Green Monday programming in the U.S.. Amy Halpern-Laff, FFAC’s Director, Strategic Partnerships, introduced the initiative to Emeryville’s Sustainability Committee in May.

Green Monday founder David Yeung congratulated the City of Emeryville from his Hong Kong offices. “According to scientists and researchers,” Yeung remarked, “a shift to diets that rely less on meat and more on fruit and vegetables is one of the most effective actions to counter climate change, food insecurity, and water scarcity, not to mention the public health crisis. Emeryville is setting an example for cities around the world.”

Feature Image: FFAC Facebook Page.